Joshua 3:1-3 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

Rahab, in mentioning to the spies the drying up of the Red Sea (Josh. 2:10), the report of which terrified the Canaanites more than anything else, intimates that those on that side the water expected that Jordan, that great defence of their country, would in like manner give way to them. Whether the Israelites had any expectation of it does not appear. God often did things for them which they looked not for, Isa. 64:3. Now here we are told, I. That they came to Jordan and lodged there, Josh.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:1

And Joshua rose early in the morning ,.... The morning after the spies had returned and made their report; which, as Kimchi rightly observes, was the ninth of Nisan; for on the morrow, which was the tenth, the people passed over Jordan, see Joshua 3:5 . Moses, according to the Jewish writers, died on the seventh of Adar or February; the thirty days of his mourning ended the seventh of Nisan or March; two days before they were ended the spies were sent, who returned on the eighth day of the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:2

And it came to pass after three days ,.... At the end of the three days they were bid to prepare food for their expedition, and to go over Jordan, Joshua 1:11 , that the officers went through the host ; the camp of Israel; very probably the same as in Joshua 1:10 ; this was, no doubt, by the order of Joshua, and who was directed to it by the Lord. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:3

And they commanded the people ,.... In the name of Joshua, by whom they were sent: saying, when ye see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it : the Targum reads, the priests and Levites; so the Septuagint: it was the business of the Levites, particularly the Kohathites, to bear the ark in journeying, but here the priests, who also were Levites, were to carry it: it is remarked in the Talmud F16 T. Bab. Sotah, fol. 33. 2. , that there... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:1

Joshua rose early - Archbishop Usher supposes that this was upon Wednesday, the 28th of April, A. M. 2553, the fortieth year after the exodus from Egypt. From Shittim, where they had lately been encamped, to Jordan, was about sixty stadia, according to Josephus; that is, about eight English miles. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:2

After three days - These three days are probably to be thus understood: As soon as Joshua took the command of the army, he sent the spies to ascertain the state of Jericho; as we have seen Joshua 1:12 . They returned at the end of three days, or rather on the third day, and made their report. It was at this time, immediately on the return of the spies, that he made the proclamation mentioned here; in consequence of which the people immediately struck their tents, and marched forward to... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:1

Verse 1 1.And Joshua rose early, etc We must remember, as I formerly explained, that Joshua did not move his camp till the day after the spies had returned, but that after hearing their report, he gave orders by the prefects that they should collect their vessels, as three days after they were to cross the Jordan. (43) His rising in the morning, therefore, does not refer simply to their return, but rather to the issuing of his proclamation. When the three days were completed, the prefects were... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:2

Verse 2 2.And it came to pass after three days, etc That is, three days after their departure had been intimated. For they did not halt at the bank longer than one night. But as the period of three days had previously been fixed for crossing, and they had no hope of being able to accomplish it, Joshua now exhorts them to pay no more regard to obstacles and difficulties, and to attend to the power of God. For although the form of the miracle is not yet explained, yet when the ark of the covenant... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:1

EXPOSITION THE COMMAND . And Joshua rose up early in the morning, i.e; after the return of the spies, and most likely (see Joshua 1:10 , Joshua 1:11 ) on the morning on which the announcement was made to the children of Israel that they were to cross the Jordan. "This newes is brought but overnight, Joshua is on his way by morning, and prevents the sunne for haste. Delays, whether in the business of God or our owne, are hatefull and prejudiciall. Many a one loses the land... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

The command to cross Jordan. We have here a chapter replete with instruction, whether we take the words in their natural and literal or in their figurative and allegorical sense. The instruction is of a kind which it is difficult to gather up into one point of view, so various and many-sided is it. It will be best, therefore, to follow the events of the narrative seriatim, and endeavour to notice the various points which may be observed for instruction and exhortation, rather than to... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:1

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Joshua 3:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:1

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Joshua 3:2

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:1

The Pulpit Commentary - Joshua 3:1-6

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